All Content: migration

The report explores the shift in migration to Texas's Rio Grande Valley and its implications for migrants and border security officials. WOLA offers recommendations for authorities to respond more effectively to the reality on the ground.

In this post to The Hill's Congress Blog, WOLA Senior Associates Adriana Beltrán and Marc Hanson argue that Central American aid should go to groups and governments with real political will to tackle inequality, corruption, and violence.

President Barack Obama's FY2016 budget request is a giant step in the right direction, but tackling insecurity, poor governance, and lack of economic opportunities requires being smart about directing aid to countries or agencies that have demonstrated the political will to fight corruption and impunity.

On Monday, the Obama Administration will release its FY2016 budget request, including a $1 billion fund for Central America, aimed at assisting the governments of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador in addressing the root causes of migration from the region.

The current system to screen and protect Mexican children fleeing violence often fails in practice. WOLA outlines recommendations to improve screening procedures and better protect vulnerable children.

Border Patrol and Mexican Authorities Fail to Screen and Protect Mexican Migrant Children

22 Jan 2015

News

Last year, the issue of Central American children fleeing violence made headlines in the United States. But unlike unaccompanied minors from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, Mexican children rarely get an opportunity to tell their story before an immigration judge.

Last year, the issue of Central American children fleeing violence made headlines in the United States. But unlike unaccompanied minors from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, Mexican children rarely get an opportunity to tell their story before an immigration judge.

President Obama has taken important steps to provide relief to millions of families who have been living and working in this country but who have lived in constant fear of unjust detention and deportation. The President’s actions will offer millions of people a chance to live with dignity and without fear of being separated from their families.

An In-Depth Podcast with WOLA's Adam Isacson and Experts on the Ground

18 Sep 2014

Publication

Over 3 days in August, Mexico's government announced a big new southern border security plan, and inaugurated a big new police force, the Gendarmería. Adam talks to six experts about both strategies and their likely effects.

There is little clarity about the budget, scope, or operational strategy of Mexico’s new Southern Border Program. In the meantime, as Mexico moves forward with its plans to secure the southern border, here are five key questions.

For decades, WOLA has researched and reported on the conditions of crime, violence, and lack of economic opportunity as push factors driving migration. Below is a list of WOLA resources and analysis on the issues of unaccompanied minors, border security and migration, and citizen security.

Report back on an August 3-4 visit to McAllen, Texas and Reynosa, Mexico

7 Aug 2014

Publication

With numerous audio samples, Adam reports back on an August 3-4 visit to McAllen, Texas, and Reynosa, Mexico. Listen to on-the-scene updates about unaccompanied minors, the dangers of the journey, deportations, and the humanitarian response.

In recent months, unaccompanied Central American children have arrived at the U.S. border seeking refuge from violence in their home countries. Here are a few statements that have been issued by religious communities in the U.S.

Many individuals have contacted WOLA asking what is being done to help respond to the urgent needs of unaccompanied children and families from Central America. To complement WOLA's targeted advocacy on this issue, we have compiled a list of organizations working to help these children.

Senate Counterpart Makes Important Strides Ensuring Safety of Children and Addressing Root Causes of Violence in Central America

31 Jul 2014

News

The House Republican bill deprives these children of the legal protections and due process guarantees that would determine if they qualify for protective status in the United States. It would rush to deport them back to terrifying situations that could threaten their lives and safety.

What drives a child or teenager to leave his or her home community in San Salvador or San Pedro Sula, and risk everything to make the extremely dangerous journey north? For many of these children, it is knowing how terrifying and potentially life threatening not going could be.

Focus on Community-Level Violence Key to Easing Humanitarian Crisis at the Border

29 Jul 2014

News

On July 29, at a hearing of the Congressional Progressive Caucus that featured testimony from unaccompanied minors from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, WOLA’s Senior Associate for Citizen Security, Adriana Beltrán, discussed the humanitarian situation at the border.

Groups Urge Emergency Aid and Attention to the Underlying Causes of Violence

24 Jul 2014

News

Today, leading human rights, development, and faith-based organizations released an open letter to Members of Congress calling on legislators to address the humanitarian crisis of tens of thousands of children from Central America who have been apprehended and detained at the U.S. border.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry plans to deploy the National Guard to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border as the federal government struggles to handle an influx of Central American immigrants. In a video interview with WSJ Live, WOLA's Adam Isacson weighs in on why this is a bad idea.